‘If the missus is happy, I’m happy,’ Mark said during our recent Skype call. Hot Danish agrees.
‘We’d better make some plans for the weekend,’ he said over a rare weekday lunch.
‘But you don’t like making plans,’ I replied.
‘I don’t want you getting stir-crazy.’

The big difference between HD and me is that he is quite happy spending a weekend at home, alternating between the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen (although this usually occurs after a boys’ night out), while frankly I need to get out.

‘How about heading to the beach for a walk?’
‘You need to rephrase,’ he said. (I’ve mentioned things not to try with your man before.) ‘”Lunch on the beach” works. I don’t mind a walk once I’ve done something nice.’ (I’ve also mentioned mis-selling experiences before.)

When I wanted to visit Hamleys or the London Aquarium, see a circus show or head to an amusement park I used to have my nephew stay with me for a weekend. Now I’m living abroad (and my nephew politely declined my invitation to visit) I’ve realised that those kinds of suggestions are best put forward to the guy at home. It’s one way to drag him away from the Xbox. Of course, I still have to take into consideration journey times, dining options and how much walking is involved…